Two weeks into the season and results-wise, we’ve got to be happy with that haven’t we?

An impressive opening night victory, a clinical cup win and a comeback draw on the road has seen Rovers start the season very well – a welcome injection of optimism for us all as off-field issues rumble on. 

Sticking on the pitch, however, I will first pay homage to Sammie Szmodics who finally left the club last Friday after a few weeks of protracted negotiation.

Although expected, I was personally gutted to see Sammie leave. In this difficult Venky’s era, Rovers have thankfully seen likeable talismans rise to the surface – think Rhodes, Dack, Armstrong and Brereton Diaz. All of those have made notable contributions and provided a beacon of light in periods of darkness.

READ MORE: EUSTACE SENDS CLEAR MESSAGE ON POTENTIAL ROVERS OUTGOINGS

On the Arte et Labore podcast a few weeks back, I expressed my opinion that Sammie single-handedly rescued us last season, and for that, his contribution must be held in extremely high regard across our entire club history. Relegation last season, for me, would have been more than devastating and a critical blow to our immediate future.

Add on Sammie’s incredible work rate, his likeable character and this season, his ability to block out the noise and contribute three goals, he’s someone that I (and my boys) will remember extremely fondly. I think we’ll look back on Sammie and realise how crucial his goals were last season – I can’t think of many more important contributions in a season by a Rovers player.

What a return in just two seasons with us. His goodbye video to the Rovers fans certainly tugged my heartstrings too. Good luck Sammie!  

But as one man departs, seemingly another couple step in. I’ve previously expressed my concern about a ‘downgrading’ of the squad with the unknown quantities in Mahktar Gueye and Yuki Ohashi.

What a wonderful surprise we’ve been treated to with their starts to the season – something I’m very happy to be proved wrong with! Since their debuts in the last pre-season friendly at Stockport, both have shown that they’re up for the rough and tumble of the Championship, and crucially, have positively impacted our forward line.

In Gueye, it’s so refreshing to have a striker who stays central and that the ball can stick to. His assist for Ryan Hedges at Norwich last weekend was a shining example of how, if his finishing might need some improvement, he will impact this team positively. He’s got a good touch and a real ability to bring others into play – and he already has the Rovers fans eating out of the palms of his hands with his post-match oles!  

As for Ohashi, what a start it’s been for him! Thanks to some brilliant work by Rovers fans online, I’m reliably informed that not since the 1950s has a Rovers player scored in his first three games for the club. What makes that even more impressive is the fact two of those goals are from the bench.

After I’ve bemoaned Rovers’ lack of impact from the bench in recent seasons, I’ve got to applaud John Eustace on his use of substitutions and the players for being ready to make that impact.

In just three games, goals from Ohashi (twice), Szmodics, Weimann, Gueye and Vale have all come from the bench. As we saw at Carrow Road last week, this will be a crucial element for Rovers to turn zero points into one, or indeed one into three. League position will correlate with that too.  

Next for Rovers is three games in a week before (what I think is) the most annoying international break of the season. No sooner are you getting started and excited for the season, then everything stops for two weeks.

If Rovers could take four points from the league games, and progress in the cup, that would represent a fantastic start to the season for sure. But of course, any Championship game is far from easy; we know the derby match will be a tough proposition with the start they’ve had too. In Oxford, they’re an intriguing opposition who remain fuelled by the adrenaline of being back in the second tier.  

Also concluding at the end of the month is the transfer window. With the departure of Sammie, I think most Rovers fans (and Eustace) agree that we still need a minimum of four signings. Quite what the, once again, delayed court case for Venky’s means for Rovers’ remaining transfer activity and the next few months is anyone’s guess.

I’m not going to pretend I’m an expert in that field, nor do I fully believe the positive PR that might come out of the club. What I do know though is that Eustace and his squad have given me plenty to be optimistic about, despite my pre-season worries.

Without additions, those injuries and suspensions will bite. So, adding more points in August to our good early season tally is the perfect shield to those off-field worries. COYB!